I want a pony!

If you have ever had a daughter, niece or sister, the phrase “I want a pony” has been uttered at least once in your presence. Many girls grow up and move on from the horse infatuation but then some girls grow up and get a pony. One such girl… lady, is our dear friend Judy. She has never lost her love of horses and now has two of her own, Ratchet and Cochise.

Judy and Cochise

There are cat people and dog lovers, but equine enthusiasts are a breed all unto their own. Owning a horse requires far more than cleaning out a litter box or opening a can of dog food, rather having a horse requires far more dedication. At first, like many horse owners, Judy boarded Ratchet at a stable; eventually she and her husband Jeff purchased a beautiful horse farm of their own, affectionately called the Purple Horseshoe Ranch. This is now home to Ratchet, who is a Thoroughbred , and recently adopted Cochise, who is paint.

Judy and Jeff still work full time as well as maintain the property and care for the horses, two dogs a house cat and two barn kitties. Yes horse life is a full time gig; sometimes friends and family lend a hand when it’s time for big jobs like hauling in over a hundred bails of hay.

Judy also trades chores for horse time with her young helpers, Sarah, Chelsea and Holly. This is a great way to teach the proper care of horses and at the same time allow young girls a chance to live out their dream of having a pony, even if just for an afternoon.

A big part of owning a horse is the care and grooming of the animal as well as up keep on their stables and pastures. You don’t just slap a saddle on and start riding; proper fitting of all the tack gear and of course knowledge of the horse is a must before you ride, whether for pleasure or competition. Thanks to Judy, these young ladies are fully cable of grooming and feeding the horses, cleaning stalls as well as learning the proper way to saddle the horse and ride.

Horse people, not unlike other pet owners, lover to show off their babies and we have a few flags to help with that task.

All the hard work does pay off when the girls get to take Cochise for a ride in the outdoor arena.

We want to thank Judy and Jeff for allowing us to share a bit about their story and hope you have a new found appreciation of the life of a horse owner.